The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-31

J their rights and merits, and those of othe
branches involved. And it docs not admi
that because the college is called an agri
cultural college that it is any more
farmers college than the University is
farmers university, and, consequently
contends that it is no more entitled to thu
countenance of the farmers, as claimed by
Mr.. Rose, than the University itself. They
are equally the heritage, not only OF the
} farmers, but of all the people of the state
As state institutions, too, they should be
fostered as such and protected by the
: legislature in their respective rights with
out partially or pandering to any par
ticular class of the people, in order TO
favor some particular interest. 1t would
be as absurd and illberal for the farmer
members of the Legislature to array them
selves against the University because it is
not called the Agricultural university, as
| il is for the members who are not farmers
to oppose what might be right for the
college, simply because it is called a
farmers college. Nor Is it true, as some
writer asserts, that "the college has but
few political friends" On the contrary,
it has plenty of them, and very influential
ones at that, or it could never have OBJ
tanned appropriations from the legislature
amounting to $298,7S7 independent of
the United States donation, which latter
alone affords it an annual income of $14,-
280 for the salary of the professors, who
are besides provided free residences by
the state on the college grounds.
A reference to the facts involved in the
conflict of interests between the college
and the University, will, it is hoped, in
duce the Legislature to determine fairly
as to the justice of the demands of the
coll GO for further appropriations of
University funds to the college in the face
of tho University's own imperative needs.
The farmer members should reflect that
the legislature exercises fiduciary trust, |
and that the University funds belong to
the University and not to the state, and
should not be diverted to the college, I'M
less there is proper showing of justice
for it, simply because they call the
college their college, and it hap
pens to be branch of the University. |
If the college is entitled to further drafts
on the University fund upon the fair
merits OF the case, do not, merely be-
cause it is a branch institution or an agri
cultural branch of the University, recog-
nize that as any justification for every
demand of the college.
Now, let us see what are the de-
mands of the college at Bryan.
In the last annual report of the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical college the present
demands for the college are thus stated
by Mr.. Cavitt, president of the board of
directors:
"To meet the absolute requirements of
the college, appropriations are needed,
both from the University fund and from
the general revenue of the state. The
board have, heretofore, asked for one
third of the available fund of the Univer-
sity, and now ask no less, as it will be
seen from the estimate much larger sum
is necessary"
What forY They want moro professors.
They have seven, and the University itself
has but eight. They want a students
dormitory. They already have one, and
the University has none, but needs one as
much as the college does.
They have five professors residences,
and want more. The University has none,
but needs them as much as the college
does.
Under the heading additions to Appa-
ratus," the report says: $50 well are the
equipped al this time that
no large sums would be needed for this
purpose" 1t is added, however, that "the
mechanical department will probably need,
soon, forge shop and forges," and that
call departments will require, of course,
the usual running supplies and means for
enlargement, in the event of provision
being made for the admission of more
students"
Thus bringing in probable wants to back
their demands, while the University is
actually needing additions to its apparatus
for present and not probable use.
They propose running hospital, and
want an infrmary. This is a desideratum
quite as important to the University as
to the college.
"rhe library aud Museum" they say,
"may we'll absorb any amount of funds
yearly, but they should not fail to receive
the attention which they deserve, as most
important adjuucts to formal teachings"
The University does not even have mu
scum, aud has about as much need for
absorbing any amount of funds yearly"
for library and museum as the college
has,
"The safety of the college buildings"
they say, sis endangered now by the use
of stoves in heating. The practical in
surance and economy of suitable steam